I live a state away, and I can remember my friends telling me about how they stopped at the corn palace on their summer vacations. I had no idea what it was, I only knew it was something that made them better than me. Now, some thirty years later, I guess I finally got to grow up and had the opportunity to behold the beauty that is the Corn Palace. I just wished somebody would have told me to come in August when the palace and all of its majestic corn walls are completed.
Coming into Mitchell, SD, there is no doubt what the big attraction in town really is. Even looking at Google Maps, “Mitchel Corn Palace” shows up before the city of Mitchell. That is, unless, you were confused by all the Wall Drug signs that are already everywhere and seeming to spread like rabbits.
So what is the Corn Palace? Well it is a big construction zone in June. Actually, there was plenty to see. We just kind of laughed at our timing. The Corn Palace is a multi-use site that hosts concerts, sporting events, and apparently when nothing else is going on, transforms into a giant tourist trap that will sell you anything and everything corn, indian, or touristy.
The building really is a giant piece of art. Obviously, countless hours of design and work goes into each mural’s construction. It is understandable how this building has become such a huge icon in South Dakota.
If you go to their website http://cornpalace.com you can find a lot of good information on events and happenings at the palace. For example, all of the corn is naturally grown each color that is used. In fact over 275,000 ears of corn are used each year to decorate the palace.
It is worth a stop to visit the corn palace on your way through South Dakota? Absolutely. Mitchell is a wonderful little town with a great downtown area full of restaurants and shopping. Make sure you add this to your list on I-90.
